Tag: Webster County

West Virginia Agency Seeks County's Unpaid Inmate Jail Fees

  The agency that oversees West Virginia’s regional jails is addressing a $1.3 million debt that Webster County owes for inmate jail fees.

The Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety says in a statement that the Regional Jail Authority filed a petition with the state Supreme Court on Thursday. It seeks to divert state tax revenues that normally would go to Webster County to offset the county’s unpaid bill for daily fees the state charges to house its inmates.

The statement says Webster County hasn’t paid its per-diem fees since 2012. The jail authority relies on the fees to operate 10 regional jails.

Webster County Commissioner Jerry Hamrick said Friday the county doesn’t have the money to pay the debt. He says Webster County lost most of its coal revenue.

July 2, 1934: Woodchopping Star Arden Cogar Sr. Born in Webster Co.

One of West Virginia’s most successful athletes hailed from the unusual sport of woodchopping. Arden Cogar Sr. was born in Webster County on July 2, 1934. When he was 21, he won nine titles at what would become the Lumberjack World Championships. He demonstrated his skills at the 1965 New York World’s Fair and quickly became the sport’s leading figure, with regular spots on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. He eventually set more than 50 world records, many after he turned 40. He still holds nine records.

Arden Cogar Jr., who is now a lawyer, followed in his father’s footsteps and competed for West Virginia University’s lumberjack team. He now holds 10 world records himself. Altogether, more than 20 Cogars have been competitive lumberjacks. Arden Sr., his son Arden Jr., and nephew Paul collectively hold 21 of the 80 world records in the categories of underhand chopping and standing block chop.

In 2001, the Cogars introduced an international team competition to the Webster County Woodchopping Festival. The festival, which has been held annually since 1960, is one of the most popular events of its kind in the world.

Five Counties Approve Sunday Hunting on Private Land

  Voters in five West Virginia counties have restored the right to hunt on private land on Sundays.

Unofficial returns show the measure was approved Tuesday in Braxton, Calhoun, Nicholas, Webster and Wirt counties. Voters in Gilmer and Lewis counties rejected the proposal.

In 2001, lawmakers allowed counties to hold elections on whether to allow Sunday hunting on private lands. The following year, all 41 counties that put the question on their ballots voted to ban it.

Cory Boothe of Summersville started a petition drive last year. He says he wanted to give his children the opportunity that hunters in most other states have.

He worked feverishly on the grassroots campaign, distributing petitions at convenience stores, bars, diners and larger employers.

Boothe says he’s satisfied with how the vote turned out.

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